Purple Reign – Scotland Has No Music – Prince at Hop Farm – Prince Should Be Permanent Super Bowl Entertainment, By Mark Erickson

Edinburgh has many churches that are closed or operate as something other than a house of worship. Here, a former Seventh Day Adventist church is now the Forest Cafe.

[The photo above was taken of the Forest Cafe in Bristo Park, Edinburgh. For more information about the place and it’s history, click here.]

My wife and I recently returned from a vacation in Scotland. We visited cathedrals, castles, the countryside, and the capital, Edinburgh. I asked at least five people where I could go see some live rock in a small setting while in the city. I created a list and visited the websites. Nothing. One venue did not even have a single booking for the month of July! Oh well. While we were in Scotland, a musical festival called Hop Farm took place in Kent, England, and Prince headlined. Of course, he received a stellar review: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jul/04/hop-farm-festival-prince-review

Personally, I have never forgotten the intense quality of Prince’s guitar virtuosity which was on display at the 2007 Super Bowl. Prince should be the halftime performer for every Super Bowl, including the one where the Vikings emerge as victors.

– Mark Erickson